Depression

Hi Ellie Anne there will be many responses to your post saying don't come off the sertraline. But if I were you, and the "drugs don't work" and I was feeling as flat as you describe on them, I'd be looking at alternatives.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists have recently changed their stance on anti-depressants and now acknowledge that for some people, it can be difficult to come off them, so if that is what you decide, you need a competent and compassionate doctor to guide you.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-48457980

All the best

Perhaps your doctor may be able to find another drug that would not leave you feeling so devoid of emotion? I’ve recently come off fluoxetine (my choice) and I’m feeling a bit miserable. Maybe you could try some therapy as well if there is any available? Exercise (Zumba) lifts my mood for a while. I wish you all the best whatever you feel would be right for you.

You must never just stop taking the tablets, you have to ween yourself off of them. Take your doctor's advice. There are other antidepressants you could try. There's no tablet to cure family problems or any other but they do help when going through difficult times I know. Tell the doctor how you feel. I hope you'll soon be feeling brighter.

EA, I guess it's a case of weighing up the situation. Sometimes flat is better than very low mood and feeling utterly miserable.
Most people know that exercise, activity, closeness to others is beneficial but we can't always manage it.

Don't stop taking the tablets, as you'll feel even worse. See your doctor, tell him/her how you feel. Perhaps write a list of your "symptoms". I did that and gave it to my doctor. I'd been on Citalopram for many years, but am now on Mirtazapine, the highest dose.

I also go to Zumba 3 times a week, as well as aqua aerobics once or twice weekly.

It’s definitely time to ask for a different drug.

I’m so sorry you are going through this

Am sorry that you are going through this. I can empathise and hope that things improve for you.

oh I do hope the doc will ween you off them, perhaps try another one?

my husband has been prone to depression for years, and each prescription the doc gives him, he gives it a try, and no... no.. not good.. so we try other things
meditation, mindfulness, contact with other people! exercise, counselling, diet even... I contacted my local church when I hit a bad bump 2 years ago, I have tried all the above,, but the contact with others, particularly, Craft club, (I am not good at any crafts, but we have a good natter) and I help out at the Cafe, washing up, good company, a laugh even, ( I find it hard to laugh or cry) mind you I don`t want to cry, I don`t like crying.

Music!!! dancing,, I am too old for Zumba! but can skip around the house..
talk to people, here! good wishes for you

I understand first hand what family problems can do to you,
I would see if there is any counselling you could attend, ( your GP would know of some) because it’s sometimes easier to talk about your problems to a stranger and very often this helps you see things more clearly.
If you have been on the same medication for a good while and it’s not working it’s not going to now, so it may be an idea to ask your GP to try something else, but never just stop medication on your own always discuss it with your Dr
It’s bye the bye but I’m a recently retired mental health nurse and have seen so many people benefit from counselling and also family counselling if that would be a possibility.
Hope you feel better soon

I warned myself off Sertraline about 18 months ago, but, I did it over 6 months. Got myself a tablet cutter so reduces 1/4 tablet at a time.

I have had loads of experience with bot depression and anxiety in myself and family members - some really quite severe! I would recommend speaking to your Dr about trying an alternative medicine. There are plenty out there. Everyones needs are different, and what may work for one, wont work for another. I hope you feel well again soon.

A combination of HRT and Prozac has changed my life. Maybe HRT as well might help? I think we under estimate how hormones impact on our mood as well as our physical wellbeing.

When I was at work I had a complete breakdown , whilst at work. I have no memory of the day or indeed the lead up to it and a couple of days after, but what I was told was that I refused to take any drugs. The doctor went along with this and arranged for counselling beginning within the week. I went for I can’t remember how many sessions, but I do remember that I was told that I was very depressed. Once I had recovered , I have never looked back as I use what I learned to modify my behaviour.

What this is all leading to is that in some cases and providing the right support is given, drugs can be entirely avoided.

Sometimes the problem is one of not being on a high enough dose.

Try multivits - they can't do any harm and they worked wonders with my DH.

Good luck!

I was on tablets for years and though they helped me cope I found them very flattening and disconnecting. I started talking therapy, after a while came off the pills and though it is hard I feel more in touch with myself. Sadly it has also meant I am divorcing at 65, far from ideal, but at least I feel alive. Every case is different but certainly I would recommend therapy, if you can get it through the NHS or if you can afford it privately. Some areas have places where your payments assessed by what you can afford. Good luck.

I've taken Citalopram for years & for all those years I haven't been able to cry or feel much really. I slept from 3-4am & got up around lunch time, to 4pm therefor missing half of the day.

A consultant asked if I minded seeing a Mental Health Nurse. I said ok. After one visit she suggested a change of anti-deps. Since taking them my sleep pattern has highly improved, & I can cry again. I feel more confident & now make an effort to look better when I go out etc

Who would have thought medication could change a person's life so much. When I spoke to the nurse about not being able to cry she said that some anti-deps supress tears as much as they can mood.

Speak to your dr is my suggestion. I hope you can sort it soon. I really can empathise with you.

It is very comforting to hear that there are others out there like you, Ellie Anne, and me!

I have been on paroxetine for many years, tried to do without but the Black Dog got me again. My GP was great and has helped enormously with different meds over the years. I also went to therapy for a while and found that exercise can give you a real lift.

There are lots of options so please keep looking for the best for you. Hugs!

Very interesting, as I have also been wondering if there isn't more to life than the 'flat affect' that I seem to have all the time. I have been on fluoxetine for about 30 years and I know it has kept me safe and reasonably sane. I had to go onto a high dosage a few winters ago and have managed to cut that down, but the only time I'm able even to shed a little tear is leaving my grandchildren when I know I won't see them again for a long time. The advice here is all good. I'm going to speak to my GP, start taking multivits and attempt to exercise a little! I used to be such a creative person and I want to write my memories for my grandchildren but can't even seem to do that.

schnackie 30 years - that is a long, long time!

I have no experience of taking anti-depressants but a younger of my family is on them (long-term), and we all notice her "flat affect", it is disconcerting, as if she is a hologram, not her true self.

A very complex issue.

Younger member ...

Tell your doctor exactly how you are feeling and ask whether coming off the medicine is an option or at least changing to some other type.

Have the family problems you mention been resolved? If not ask if you can be referred to someone who could help with them.

Hope you soon feel better.

I'm on sertraline as well, feel very similar to you and can't cry either which is awful. Feel 'locked in' with my emotions. I suffer from depression from time to time and coincidentally this last bout was due to a family situation. I'm trying to get TMS therapy which is completely natural but expensive. Trying to get referred through my GP. Please don't stop ADs cause you'll be struggling alone X

Thank you for all your advice.
The doctor says feeling emotionless is a side effect of medication.
She said it’s up to me if I want to come off it or not.
I’ve been on some of the others and they didn’t help much so she didn’t see any point in changing.
So still undecided.
The family problems are still there and can’t see them changing.